Getting pissed off with my brother

[Aminit]

I have a progressive pain condition. From time to time my brother texts and asks me how I am and I reply by telling him honestly, so I might say, leg is playing up, back is bad etc. He replies 'Hmm.' Is that a bit....like he doesn't believe me?? I get that pain is invisible. But it's starting to piss me off when he replies that way. Is that a U way for me to feel?

How would you like him to respond?

Do you also ask him how he is doing or is it just you giving a list of your ailments?

It sounds like he's trying to make conversation with you, but you always(?) respond with an update on your pain?

Understandable for you as it must be a huge part of your life, but its not the easiest thing for other people to talk to you about and quite easily stop a conversation.

Maybe next time, respond with something other than your pain levels and see how it goes. The conversation may then naturally turn to how you are medically.

I often feel helpless in a situation like that, so I often say, "oh that sucks," or something like that. It's not that I don't care, I just don't know what else to say.

Do you check in with him or does he always initiate the contact? Do you ask him how he is? Do you ever talk about anything besides your pain when he asks?